"Check Out" process for laptops and projectors

Hi,

We've been using a calendar to write in the days and times staff would like to check out equipment but now that we have a handful of laptops and just as many projectors it is getting confusing. 

What system are you using to keep track of equipment reservations and returns?  Anyone using an exchange calendar to do this?

Thanks!

m

Hi,

Do you run Outlook and Exchange? - If you do it's very easy to setup, schedule and manage devices like these as 'resources' within Outlook Calendars. Let us know if you need a hand to set it up! 

Don

If you are on MS server 2003 or better look at the share point apps for room reservations.  Alternatively a shared google calendars could be an option.  Set up a calendar for each device.

Dave

Any of the solutions suggested would work, or you could try the simple approach of setting up a spreadsheet, and putting it on the network. The only potential problem is if two or more people want write access to it at the same time.

The other trick that I used when doing tech support was to create a custom desktop wall paper that said 'NO PROJECTOR DISPLAY? PRESS Fn & F10' or whatever key combination was right for that computer. It got over the problem of stickers falling off, advice sheets not getting read etc. and cut down on the support calls from frantic staff with a room full of folk and no presentation to show.

Pete